Aug 30 Alison - COUNTRY & CITY MOUSE

Alison is one of these quietly formidable women whom I admire. She goes out and gets it done! I could go on and on, but what you're really here to read about is her recent green change with her partner, so I'll let her do the talking.

I grew up country and always knew that I wanted to return ‘someday’. I loved the convenience and bustle of the city but when my partner and I realised that our two bedroom worker’s cottage was too small for our needs we started looking around for something else. It was the same old story – we didn’t want to live where we could afford.

We were taking lots of weekenders to the Kyneton area. For giggles we attended a few open-for-inspections and bought the third house we looked at. Somehow we managed to sell a house, pack and move in ninety days. We touched down in the country in December 2015.

Our new home was built in the 1860s. It’s quirky and has a vast expanse of fresh air, wildlife and SPACE! I grew up on a little farm and forgot how much I love being dirty, free and happy.

We hit the ground running with our (clueless) list of things to do. So far we have installed a 5KW solar system and solar hot water, replaced the kitchen stove and hooked up bottled gas, installed a small gas heater to compliment the wood stove, fitted out a portion of the tool shed as a secure chook house, built a deck with a yurt, got a dog and planted a kitchen garden. Some baby cows are arriving today and will be free range steak in a year or so.

Next we are going to turn one of our outbuildings and the yurt into functioning guest houses and plant a HUGE veggie patch. Then… just keep up (we hope!)

THE YURT AND VEGGIE PATCH ARE NEXT!

For those considering a green change, I say do it with your eyes open. It’s hard work and the country can be isolating. Make sure you have enough funds to buy the things you need to start your new life, it’s much easier with the proper tools. We started with a riding mower, proper gardening tools, a tractor and a gazillion things from Bunnings*.

BRANSON, THE TRACTOR

There you have it, a quick introduction to a great woman who doesn't mind learning the hard way, and laughing in the face of...it all! Just what we here at GoT appreciate.